'Cork is an anagram of rock'

Cork City Council is to prepare a preliminary business case for a museum of music in the city, following a motion passed at Monday evening’s full council meeting.

The case will cover two core themes - artists and bands, and iconic venues.

The preparations for the business case, which can now get underway, will look at suitable sites or existing buildings, potential for partnership, as well as operating costs and integration with the city’s tourism strategy.

It will then return to council with options, estimated costs, and next steps.

The motion received strong support from all those present at the meeting.

Cllr Damian Boylan, said while growing up in the city in the 1980s and 1990s “there seemed to be a constant recession - but everyone was happy”.

“When I think of the talent that Cork has produced - Rory Gallagher, Fred, Sultans of Ping - we need to celebrate and honour these artists,” he said.

He also said that Cork is “one of the best places in Europe for music”, which should be recognised.

Cllr Oliver Moran was similarly enthusiastic.

“Cork is an anagram of rock,” he said.

“Cork has a great history of music but it’s also a living for so many musicians, and you can see that heritage whenever you walk down Oliver Plunkett Street,” he said.

This is not the first time the concept has been raised.

Sheena Crowley, proprietor of Crowley’s Music Centre, said she delivered a business case to the council in 2011 for a museum that would have occupied the Cork Bonded Warehouses.

She said that she presented the case to Micheál Martin, who, as Sheena says, “put me through my paces”.

“I presented him the plan and he scrutinised me on the location, the financials of it, and he was broadly keen,” she said.

However, due to the ongoing recession, the city council said it could not fund such a project at that time.

She said she is delighted the project is getting council backing.

“It’s something that’s always been in my head. I meet people all the time, with all this history and amazing memorabilia.”

Her case from 2011 envisioned a museum that also served as community space.

It proposed to feature a museum showcasing Cork’s music history on the ground floor. It would also feature a café, a performance and teaching area, and an area for making musical instruments. It would also feature a publicly accessible recording studio.

She said that there is a huge desire for a space for Cork’s music community.

“I meet all kinds through the shop, classical musicians, the trad musicians, and the rockers,” she said.She said that she is excited to share this experience and knowledge as part of the development.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.